Percy Douglas, of Bakersville

Percy Douglas, the reprobate of
Bakersfield, California
1897

percy, the Bakersfield bad boy

History told as a story

Percy Douglas, a reprobate of Bakersfield, California, with a pedigree as polished as his manners were rough, had become a chronic headache for lawmen. Once a young man with promise, hailing from a respectable family in Sutherland, England, born in 1861, Douglas had sunk into a mire of booze, brawls, and belligerence.

His descent was a steep one. Fueled by cheap whiskey and a hair-trigger temper, Douglas careened from saloon brawls to threats against lawmen. In 1886, his rage culminated in the cold-blooded murder of Natubo Quieras, a petty squabble escalating into a fatal gunshot. Convicted of manslaughter, Douglas served a paltry two years, a slap on the wrist that did little to curb his violent tendencies.

Released in 1894, Douglas drifted back to Bakersfield, a thorn in the side of the local constabulary. He reveled in antagonizing them, especially Deputy Constable Edwin Willow. Rumors swirled that Douglas had threatened Willow's life, leaving the lawman wary and constantly on guard.

On a fateful January night, fueled by intoxication, Douglas sought out a female companion. Rebuffed and belligerent, he sent chills down the spine of his would-be rendezvous. Fearful for her safety, she sought refuge with Willow, the lawman she hoped could shield her from Douglas's wrath.

Willow, shotgun in hand, confronted Douglas later that night. The tension crackled in the air as Douglas, with a reputation for quick draws and deadly aim, reached for his own gun. In a heartbeat, fearing for his life, Willow unleashed a blast from his shotgun. Douglas, the once-promising young man, crumpled to the ground, his violent streak silenced forever.

A coroner's jury initially danced around the truth, but ultimately, Willow was cleared. The Douglas family buried their wayward son, likely haunted by the ghosts of his wasted potential. Bakersfield's lawmen, undoubtedly, breathed a collective sigh of relief. The town was finally rid of Percy Douglas, a man who traded his bright future for a life – and death – defined by violence.

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